What is the meaning of 'estoppel'?

The term 'estoppel' refers to a legal principle that prevents an individual from arguing something contrary to a claim made or accepted in a legal proceeding, based on the premise of fairness and consistency. By acknowledging that a party has made certain representations or taken specific actions that other parties have relied upon, estoppel serves as a legal impediment to contradicting those earlier statements or behavior. This principle is often invoked to maintain justice and prevent unfair disadvantage to those who rely on the established facts or conditions.

In this context, the meaning of 'legal impediment to bringing an action' is accurate as it directly addresses how estoppel can act to bar a party from pursuing a legal argument or recovery if they have previously made contradictory assertions or behaved in a manner that led others to rely on those statements. This is foundational in various legal disputes, ensuring parties are held to their prior commitments.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of estoppel. While 'from the contract' might relate to specific contractual obligations, it does not encompass the broader legal implications that estoppel entails. Similarly, 'and the following' and 'thus, for example' do not convey a clear meaning related to the concept of estoppel and are more indicative of transitional phrases rather